What time is the nfl game tonight?, Yes, there is an NFL game tonight. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams in a historic Week 1 matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia—the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game played Down Under.
The game kicks off at 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, September 10, 2026 (which is Friday morning, September 11, local time in Melbourne). U.S. viewers can watch the game exclusively on Netflix.
This article provides everything you need to know about tonight’s NFL game, including kickoff times across multiple time zones, TV and streaming information, and a look at the upcoming NFL schedule.
Yes. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are playing tonight in the NFL’s first regular-season game ever held in Australia.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams |
| Date (U.S.) | Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| Date (Australia) | Friday, September 11, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time (ET) | 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia |
| TV Network | Netflix (streaming only) |
| Streaming | Netflix |
This game marks a significant milestone for the NFL’s international expansion efforts. The league has been working to grow its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Melbourne game represents its most ambitious international venture to date.
The matchup features two NFC West rivals who know each other well. Both teams are expected to compete for playoff positions this season, making this an important early-season divisional game despite being played more than 9,000 miles from either team’s home stadium.
The kickoff time for tonight’s NFL game varies depending on your location. Here’s a complete breakdown:
| Time Zone | Kickoff Time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 8:35 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10 |
| Central Time (CT) | 7:35 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10 |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 6:35 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10 |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 5:35 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10 |
| India Standard Time (IST) | 6:05 a.m. | Friday, Sept. 11 |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | 10:35 a.m. | Friday, Sept. 11 |
For viewers in the United States, the game will be played on Thursday evening—a familiar time slot for NFL fans accustomed to Thursday night football.
However, for fans in Australia, the game takes place Friday morning local time. The unusual scheduling reflects the challenges of broadcasting an NFL game from the other side of the world while maximizing viewership in the United States.
Tonight’s game features two of the NFC’s most competitive teams:
The 49ers enter the 2026 season looking to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2025 campaign. San Francisco has consistently been one of the NFL’s most talented rosters, and they’ll be eager to start the season with a victory against a divisional rival.
The Rams are technically the “home” team for this international matchup, though the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be neutral territory. Los Angeles has rebuilt its roster in recent years and believes it has the pieces to compete for an NFC West title.
This is a crucial early-season divisional game. In the highly competitive NFC West, every game between these two teams carries significant playoff implications. Starting the season with a win—especially against a divisional opponent—can set the tone for the entire year.
The international setting adds an element of unpredictability. Neither team has played a regular-season game in Australia before, and the travel, time zone changes, and unfamiliar environment could affect performance.
Tonight’s NFL game will not air on traditional television in the United States. Instead, it will stream exclusively on Netflix.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Netflix | United States and international |
| Channel 7 | Australia (free-to-air) |
This marks a notable shift from the NFL’s usual Thursday Night Football arrangement. While Amazon Prime Video holds the rights to most Thursday night games during the 2026 season, this particular Week 1 matchup is a Netflix exclusive.
For Australian viewers, Channel 7 will broadcast the game free-to-air, making it accessible to a wide audience in the host country.
Here are the legitimate ways to watch tonight’s NFL game:
Netflix: The game is available exclusively on Netflix. A subscription is required. You can watch on your TV, computer, tablet, or mobile device through the Netflix app.
Channel 7: Free-to-air broadcast
Netflix: Streaming option for subscribers
Netflix is available in most countries worldwide, making it the primary option for international viewers. However, content availability may vary by region.
Both Netflix and Channel 7 offer mobile apps for watching on smartphones and tablets.
Here’s a quick reference for tonight’s game:
| Game | Teams | Kickoff (ET) | TV | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Melbourne Game | 49ers vs. Rams | 8:35 p.m. | Netflix | Netflix |
For NFL fans in India, tonight’s game will take place in the early morning hours of Friday, September 11.
India Standard Time (IST): 6:05 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026
This means Indian viewers who want to watch the game live will need to wake up early or stay up through the night. The 6:05 a.m. IST start time is consistent with how late-evening U.S. sporting events typically translate to Indian time.
For those who can’t watch live, Netflix typically makes games available for replay shortly after they conclude.
The NFL season is just getting started. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule following tonight’s game:
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Sept. 10 | 49ers vs. Rams (Melbourne) | 8:35 p.m. | Netflix |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Bears vs. Panthers | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Ravens vs. Colts | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Falcons vs. Steelers | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Browns vs. Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Buccaneers vs. Bengals | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Jets vs. Titans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Saints vs. Lions | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Bills vs. Texans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Cardinals vs. Chargers | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Packers vs. Vikings | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Dolphins vs. Raiders | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Commanders vs. Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Sept. 13 | Cowboys vs. Giants | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| Mon, Sept. 14 | Broncos vs. Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
The first full Sunday of NFL action features 13 games, including several intriguing matchups. The Cowboys-Giants rivalry game in primetime and the Broncos-Chiefs AFC West showdown on Monday night highlight the weekend slate.
If you’re wondering about the next NFL game after tonight, the season continues with a busy Sunday slate on September 13.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Kickoff (ET) | 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| TV | FOX |
| Streaming | NFL Sunday Ticket, FOX Sports app |
Several other games will kick off at the same time, including Ravens-Colts, Falcons-Steelers, and Bills-Texans.
The NFL game tonight kicks off at 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, September 10, 2026. For viewers in other time zones, that’s 7:35 p.m. Central, 6:35 p.m. Mountain, and 5:35 p.m. Pacific.
Yes, there is an NFL game tonight. The San Francisco 49ers are playing the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are playing tonight in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia.
Tonight’s NFL game is not on traditional television in the United States. It is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
You can watch tonight’s game on Netflix, which requires a subscription. Australian viewers can also watch on Channel 7.
The NFL game tonight starts at 6:05 a.m. India Standard Time on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Yes, there is an NFL game today (Thursday, September 10, 2026). The 49ers and Rams are playing in Melbourne.
The next NFL game after tonight is on Sunday, September 13, 2026, when the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Multiple other games will kick off at the same time.
There is an NFL game tonight, and it’s a historic one. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make history as the first NFL teams to play a regular-season game in Australia, with kickoff set for 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
For U.S. viewers, the game is available exclusively on Netflix. For fans in India, the game starts at 6:05 a.m. IST on Friday morning. Australian viewers can watch free-to-air on Channel 7.
After tonight’s international showcase, the NFL season kicks into full gear with a packed Sunday slate on September 13, featuring 13 games including the Cowboys-Giants primetime matchup and the Broncos-Chiefs Monday night showdown.
Whether you’re staying up late in the U.S. or waking up early in India, tonight’s game offers a unique opportunity to watch NFL football from one of the world’s most iconic venues.